"My point is to help all of the players, my job is to support them all until they maybe decide to take a different way in their career."

Eriksen was used as a substitute during last weekend's come-from-behind win over Aston Villa and will be considered for a starting XI berth against Manchester City on Saturday after impressing Pochettino during training.

The Tottenham boss denied Eriksen's contract situation would have any influence over his team selection at the Etihad Stadium.

"For me it is the same between a player who has one year on his contract and one who has five years," he said.

"The selection is not for the length of the contract, it is for the performance.

"After five years you should know to avoid this question, because you know I will take the decision based only on performance and not personal situation with the club."

Argentina international Lo Celso could make his Spurs debut against City after skipping the Villa clash, but Dele Alli remains sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Son Heung-min is set to serve the final game of a three-match ban imposed towards the end of last term.

"I am very happy," Pochettino told reporters on Friday. "I was happy with my squad and to add some more players, they can bring good energy and help us to achieve what we want.

"I was focused on trying to work hard to coach in the best way.

"I hoped the club would do the job that we want to try to bring players in and to try to be competitive with our opponents."

Pochettino admitted 19-year-old wing-back Sessegnon, who agreed a six-year deal, could be held back before entering the first-team equation.

"He doesn't have that much experience in the Premier League, maybe he is a little bit behind Lo Celso and Ndombele in age – they have more experience playing in a top level," he said.

"Maybe he needs three or four weeks out of the group, and we will see how he adapts.

"I think we have made signings for the future. The players will have opportunities to play. There is no pressure on him, or Lo Celso or Tanguy, they arrive from different leagues and they still need to adapt to the new philosophy and the new club.

"It is the responsibility of the senior players to help them, but it is important to give them time."

Mauricio Pochettino admitted he is "worried" about Dele Alli after revealing the Tottenham midfielder is set to miss the start of the new season with a fresh hamstring injury.

Alli was ruled out of Tottenham's final pre-season friendly against Inter on Sunday and is now in a race against time to be fit for next Saturday's Premier League opener against Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old missed a number of matches with a similar injury problem last season and Pochettino is concerned about the amount of time one of his star men has spent on the sidelines in his four years with Spurs.

"I don’t know if the club will communicate the time [he will be out] but I don’t believe he's going to be ready for the start of the season," Pochettino said at his post-match news conference.

"It's the same type of injury [as before]. Of course we are worried. He's still so young - just 23 years old and he has had many, many hamstring problems in the last few years.

"We are here to try to help him. I think it's a minor injury - probably a few weeks before he can be available again and be with the group."

Tottenham were also without Serge Aurier, Juan Foyth, Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier for their friendly with Inter on home soil, which they lost 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes - Lucas Moura's early strike being cancelled out by Stefano Sensi.

Pochettino conceded after the match a number of his players will be short of fitness come the start of the new campaign.

"With Juan I think the medical staff are going to provide an update in the next few days," he said. "I cannot say more because I don't know exactly how much time he will be out for.

"For sure it's a tough injury and for sure it is many weeks he is going to be out. We hope he can recover as soon as possible.

"Serge, Victor and Dier were at the training ground. For different reasons they are short in their preparation. Rather than play today it was important to train and to try to be fit as soon as possible.

"We are going to arrive in a very good condition [for the first game], but maybe not in an ideal condition.

"Some players are a little bit shorter in their preparation. It’s not ideal, but it’s after going to be such a tough season and we are happy.

"We need to improve. We have one week to prepare for the game but we're going to arrive in a good condition to try to beat Aston Villa."

Club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele made his home debut in Sunday's International Champions Cup match and Pochettino is not ruling out more new signings before Thursday's deadline, despite a lack of recent dialogue with chairman Daniel Levy.

"I am happy with my squad," he said. "You can see today a lot of younger players.

"Every season we are always open to improve the squad and to try to find the right players to be stronger and better and there are still four days. We'll see what happens in the next few days.

"But Daniel is in Miami and I haven't had the opportunity to talk to him."

Dele Alli called for Tottenham to use the pain of defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League final to drive them on next season, but admitted that missing out on Europe's top prize was "heartbreaking".

The England midfielder missed a number of opportunities at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, where goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi earned Liverpool glory in the continent's biggest competition for the sixth time on Saturday.

Tottenham will be in the Champions League again next season after finishing fourth in the Premier League and Alli said the memory of losing in Madrid could become a tool they use to better themselves.

"It's heartbreaking, no one is really speaking," the 25-year-old told reporters.

"We have to keep working, keep improving and take the feeling we have now of disappointment, that hurt and use it to drive us on.

"It’s been an amazing journey and I'd just like to say thanks to the fans for all their support.

"I'm sorry we couldn’t get over the final hurdle, but it's a great learning curve and as I said, we have to keep this feeling inside of us, this hurt and take it into next season."

Alli struggled with injuries this season and scored five goals in 25 Premier League appearances – his lowest tally in a campaign since he joined the club in February 2015.

Tottenham's form fluctuated across the course of a season that saw the club move into its new home, but Alli said the experience of the last 12 months would stand the players in good stead.

"It's time to reflect on what could have been," he said.

"At the same time, and it's difficult now, but we also have to look at how far we’ve come in reaching this final.

"It's hard to take the positives right now but over time, players, staff and fans, when we look back at the journey together. This isn't the end."

Liverpool and Tottenham were lacking the star quality expected of them as the Reds triumphed 2-0 in one of the most disappointing Champions League finals in memory.

Mohamed Salah scored after just two minutes from the penalty spot before 85 minutes of scant little action at either end gave way to a second goal from Liverpool substitute Divock Origi.

It was not the game either set of fans expected, but there were still key moments and interventions that ensured Europe's most coveted trophy headed to Merseyside.

Here's how we rated the players at the Wanda Metropolitano.

TOTTENHAM

Hugo Lloris: 7
Had no chance with the penalty and was otherwise excellent, making a superb save from Andy Robertson shortly before half-time to keep Spurs in touch. Could do little about Origi's goal.

Jan Vertonghen: 6
Did well to keep Salah at bay early in the second half and ventured forward to support a Spurs attack that failed to bare its teeth.

Danny Rose: 6
Fed Son Heung-min and Dele Alli throughout but saw much of his service frittered away, particularly early on.

Kieran Trippier: 6
Like Rose, Trippier poured forward to little effect in the opening stages and his late forays rarely proved effective.

Toby Alderweireld: 6
Was left bloodied at the end of a bruising encounter but could not get across in time to stop Origi from doubling Liverpool's lead three minutes from time.

Christian Eriksen: 6
Squandered a good chance when space opened up for him in first-half stoppage time and saw his curling free-kick saved by Alisson late on.

Harry Winks: 5
Effective around the halfway line, but like his team-mates seemed to freeze when approaching the final third. Replaced by Lucas Moura after 66 minutes.

Son Heung-min: 7
Showed flashes of energy and endeavour but was outmuscled by Virgil van Dijk or outwitted by Alisson when chances came his way.

Dele Alli: 6
Just as he did in the semi-final second leg against Ajax, Alli misplaced passes early on but grew into the game, only to fluff his lines when Tottenham's three best chances fell to him in the second half.

Moussa Sissoko: 5
Suffered a torrid opening to the game when Sadio Mane's cross hit his arm after 26 seconds and lost the key midfield battle against Jordan Henderson that could have turned the game in Spurs' favour.

Harry Kane: 5
Barely involved in the first half, Kane improved in the last 20 minutes as Tottenham pressed for an equaliser, but it was too little, too late from the England captain.

Substitutes

Lucas Moura: 6
Could have been Tottenham's saviour again but side-footed somewhat tamely at Alisson when the ball fell to him 12 yards out.

Fernando Llorente: 5
Sent on late as Mauricio Pochettino sought the kind of heroics he delivered against Ajax but failed to make a mark on the game.

LIVERPOOL

Alisson: 7
Faced no shots in the first half but remained alert enough to make a crucial double-save from Son and Moura – and a superb one from Eriksen – when it mattered most.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7
One of Liverpool's major attacking threats in the first half, firing narrowly wide with an audacious 25-yard drive.

Virgil van Dijk: 7
As calm and assured as you would expect of the PFA Players' Player of the Year and showed his pace and composure to cut Son's mazy dribble short after 75 minutes.

Joel Matip: 7
Viewed as the potential weak link in Liverpool's side by some, Matip did not let his side down and helped to keep Kane eerily quiet before providing the assist for Origi's goal.

Andy Robertson: 6
Linked up with Mane to cause Tottenham problems early on and put in a solid performance defensively.

Jordan Henderson: 7
Harried and pressed Tottenham when he had to, doing just enough to keep Winks and Sissoko from settling into the game.

Georginio Wijnaldum: 5
The game passed him by in the first half and he was little better after the break, making him the obvious choice to come off for James Milner.

Fabinho: 7
Combined with Henderson to nullify the Spurs midfield, helping the England man form a wall on the halfway line that snuffed out Sissoko and Alli time and again.

Mohamed Salah: 7
Lashed home Liverpool's opener with supreme confidence and teed Milner and Mane up for good second-half chances despite seeing relatively little of the ball.

Sadio Mane: 7
Ran at Spurs from the outset and forced the penalty before playing a key role in Liverpool's late resurgence.

Roberto Firmino: 5
After a very quiet first half, Firmino cut an even more subdued figure after the interval and was replaced by Origi just before the hour-mark.

Substitutes

Divock Origi: 8
There was a buzz of excitement at the Liverpool end when Origi replaced Firmino and he did not disappoint, lashing the only chance that came his way into the bottom corner of Lloris' net.

James Milner: 7
Reinvigorated Liverpool on the hour, firing just wide from the edge of the box and rallying the troops to push for the second.

Deli Alli believes Tottenham's dream run to the Champions League semi-finals is down to the success so many of their stars enjoyed at last year's World Cup.

Spurs had nine players reach the semi-finals at Russia 2018, though Mousa Dembele has now departed for the lucrative Chinese Super League.

Domestically a Premier League title challenge ended with damaging defeats to Burnley and Chelsea in February, while they were knocked out of the EFL Cup and FA Cup in the space of four days in January.

But Europe's greatest prize remains a distinct possibility after Spurs upset Manchester City over two legs to book a semi-final date with Ajax.

And England star Alli, part of the Three Lions team beaten by Croatia in the last four at the World Cup, believes their continental success has roots in Russia.

"I think it's definitely the case that what happened at the World Cup has helped us as a team," he said.

"We got a lot of experience from the tournament, in different situations, winning and losing. With that experience, we have begun to show that we are learning and that's what has happened in the Champions League.

"Each season we are improving, in both the Premier League and the Champions League. We are heading in the right direction and we have got to keep doing that.

"When I first came to Spurs, we had a great team, great players but maybe we didn't have the experience we needed when we got to this point of the season. But, by sticking together and having tasted various experiences, we are just getting better and better."

It has been 11 years since Spurs last won a trophy, while City's revenge 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday left their top-four hopes in the league this season in danger.

And Alli is under no illusions that Tottenham have to turn potential into success.

"Of course, we want to challenge for trophies. We've had seasons where we have come so close and we should have probably been closer in the Premier League again this season," he added.

"There were a few poor games at crucial points of the season, but it's switched around again.

"We still have to make sure we finish in the top four again, which we should have made much more comfortable than we have.

"We will have to manage the games coming up, there has to be a strategy. But we are in the semi-finals now, so there is no reason why we can't believe."

Dele Alli has been named in Tottenham's starting line-up to face Manchester City a week on from suffering a broken hand during the first leg of the all-English Champions League quarter-final.

Spurs hold a 1-0 advantage from last Tuesday's meeting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, when Son Heung-min scored the only goal in the 78th-minute.

The South Korea international will again provide the main goal threat for Mauricio Pochettino's men in the absence of Harry Kane (ankle), although Alli also bolsters his team-mates in that regard after sitting out the 4-0 weekend win over Huddersfield Town and training in a protective cast at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Kevin De Bruyne starts for City, having only featured as an 89th-minute substitute in north London, although Leroy Sane must once again be content with a place on the bench.

Indeed, Sane making way for Bernardo Silva – who missed the first leg with a thigh complaint – is Pep Guardiola's only alteration from the side that won 3-1 at Crystal Palace on Sunday to keep City's Premier League title defence on track.

Fernandinho returns among the substitutes following a minor muscular injury and club captain Vincent Kompany again partners Aymeric Laporte at the heart of the home defence.

Dele Alli faces a late fitness test ahead of Tottenham's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, although Harry Winks will miss out.

Alli suffered a broken hand during last week's first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which Spurs won 1-0 thanks to Son Heung-min's 78th-minute strike.

The England international sat out the 4-0 weekend win over Huddersfield but has not been ruled out entirely, while Erik Lamela will also be checked after returning to training following a hamstring injury.

Mauricio Pochettino remains unsure whether Dele Alli and Harry Winks will be fit for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City.

Both players missed Saturday's 4-0 Premier League win over Huddersfield Town, Alli after suffering a broken hand in the 1-0 victory over City in Tuesday's first leg and Winks after sustaining a groin injury in training.

Kane will definitely miss the game at the Etihad Stadium after injuring his ankle in the first leg and Pochettino says they will have to play a waiting game to see if Alli and Winks can line up against Pep Guardiola's side.

When asked if Alli will be fit, Pochettino told a media conference: "We'll see because we are not sure.

"He is doing some training sessions with protection. He needs to feel comfortable. It is a little bit painful because he broke his hand in two different places.

"It all depends on time. We will see if we arrive in a position where he is comfortable to play. We'll see, today is difficult to know."

Speaking about Winks, Pochettino added: "In the middle of training he started to feel something painful in his groin.

"He's a player we need to assess tomorrow, and then after tomorrow take a decision. We are optimistic, but you know there is doubt."

In the absence of Kane, Alli and Son Heung-min – who started on the substitutes' bench – Lucas Moura was tasked with delivering the goals against Huddersfield, and the Brazilian did not disappoint.

He added to Victor Wanyama's opener in the first half and then completed a hat-trick late on with two superb finishes.

Pochettino was delighted with the 26-year-old's display and wants every member of his squad to follow the former Paris Saint-Germain forward's lead and contribute in the closing weeks of the season.

"Lucas got a hat-trick and it was an unbelievable afternoon for him," he said. "I am happy for Lucas. It is going to help and bring him confidence.

"When you have 25 players they need to have the opportunity to play. We have a very tough period ahead; it is going to be tough. We need all the players fit."

Mauricio Pochettino has said he does not expect Harry Kane to feature again for Tottenham this season unless they reach the Champions League final.

The England international was substituted with an ankle injury after 58 minutes of his side’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday.

City defender Fabian Delph inadvertently caught Kane when the striker tried to block a clearance, leaving Pochettino fearing the worst after the game.

Tottenham confirmed on Thursday that their leading scorer suffered a "significant lateral ligament injury" to his left ankle - a repeat of the damage sustained against Manchester United in January that ruled him out for just over a month.

Pochettino is unsure whether the 25-year-old will be back on the field again before the Premier League season ends on May 12, though Spurs could still be in Champions League contention at that point, with the final of the competition scheduled for June 1.

"He feels sad and disappointed like everyone at the club. It's a tough moment for him, the team and us," Pochettino told reporters at Friday's news conference.

"We need to assess him every day, but we need to have proper answers to see when he can possibly start training with the team.

"Today it is impossible to give a date. He suffered a similar injury last time against Manchester United and that took five weeks, and if we arrive in the final of the Champions League maybe he would have the possibility to play, but we'll see.

"We need to assess him but he's not in a great place which is normal after a few days."

Tottenham also lost Dele Alli to injury during their European win against City, the midfielder having to be replaced late on after injuring his hand.

Pochettino is more optimistic over Alli and while he has not yet ruled the midfielder out of contention for Saturday's home game against Huddersfield Town, it is more likely he returns in time for the second leg against City.

"‘He broke his hand and we need to assess today and see if he can be involved tomorrow," Pochettino added.

"I’m not optimistic about tomorrow. I am more optimistic he will be available for Man City in the second leg. We’ll see and we’ll take decision that is best for everyone."

Serge Aurier, Eric Dier and Erik Lamela are Tottenham's other confirmed absentees for the visit of relegated Huddersfield.

Dele Alli believes England are on track to become the best team in the world as they look to climb the FIFA rankings.

Gareth Southgate's Three Lions enjoyed an outstanding 2018, reaching the World Cup semi-finals in Russia and then booking their place in the upcoming Nations League Finals.

England enjoyed landmark wins over Spain and Croatia along the way, with the team up to fifth in the global standings before the latest round of fixtures.

Alli and Co are targeting Belgium's number one spot, though, and the Tottenham midfielder says there is no lack of belief in the England camp.

"We want to be the number one team in the world," Alli said, as reported by The Mirror. "To do that, you have to be at it in every game and, when you come away, you have to prove yourself every time.

"We definitely believe we can be the best in the world. Obviously everyone will have their opinions, but the work we've been putting in is to achieve that.

"We know there's a long way to go, a lot of work to be done, but we feel we are definitely heading in the right direction."

England would take a big step towards that target if they were to win the Nations League at the end of the season - and Alli is relishing the opportunity.

"The Nations League tournament has had some unbelievable teams in it," he said. "Look at our group [with Spain and Croatia] and see how tough it was.

"It's exciting for us to try to win another trophy. We're looking forward to it. We'll prepare properly, focus on the Euro 2020 games first and then obviously, when the time comes, prepare as well as we can for the Nations League.

"But we've proven so far since Gareth came in that we can beat the top sides and everyone can see the direction we're heading in, which is exciting.

"We had a great World Cup but it was important to show with the results after that it was not just a one-off. We are a good team, I think we've shown that, and we have beaten some good teams.

"We need to keep challenging ourselves. We can't stop now and I think the gaffer definitely won't let that happen."

All three players are carrying injuries after a 5-0 thumping against the Czech Republic at Wembley got the Three Lions' Group A campaign off to a flying start.

Henderson was expected to make his 50th international appearance in Podgorica but the Liverpool captain could be forced to miss the game with an ankle problem.

Southgate suggested he could name an unchanged side from England's demolition of the Czech Republic but was considering bringing in new faces even before fitness issues threatened to force his hand.

"There are a couple we need to check," he told a news conference on Sunday. "Jordan being one, in the morning. I think I will make some changes. Freshness can improve the team.

"The difference in some of the positions is so close in terms of who you'd pick, a fresher player may bring us more. I don't want to make heaps of changes, so I want the right balance.

"A couple of checks on Dele, who's missed a lot of football with a hamstring, Henderson with the injury he arrived with, Sancho a bit tight after the game. Nothing of a huge concern, but we want to make sure we are right."

England have never won in Montenegro, drawing on their two previous visits, with Kyle Walker the only player in Southgate's young squad to have made the trip.

A feisty atmosphere is likely and Southgate has asked the Manchester City defender to inform his team-mates what they should expect.

"It's something we've talked about a lot. Our undoing has often been a lack of discipline in matches," Southgate added.

"That is expected of this group now. They have to respond in the right way, stay calm in moments. A lot of times, going down to 10 men affects the result of games. We have to make sure we don't allow them that opportunity.

"Kyle Walker is the only player to have played in the fixture, so he spoke a bit in the meeting on Sunday about the experience to help the players prepare for what's coming so it's not a surprise.

"I expect all the players, even the younger ones, to show leadership in their own way. But [we need] to have the older ones setting the example in those tense moments.

"We have certainly witnessed flares on the pitch in the past and we've spoken about not going over to deal with those on your own. We have had those discussions.

"It's the referee's responsibility to deal with anything thrown on the field. We have to alert him to it. There is a danger in picking those things up to remove them yourself. We've made the players aware of that. Even the goalkeeper got that.

"It's really intense. A passionate local support. That's often the way travelling in Europe, playing qualifying ties."